October 10, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — No. 23-ranked Dakota State (S.D.) held a five-point lead late in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon, but Dickinson State (N.D.) rallied with a touchdown in the final minute to escape with a 20-19 victory in a Frontier Conference East Division football contest at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field in the annual Trojan Day homecoming football game. The teams faced windy conditions from the south at 25-30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.
The Trojans dropped their overall record to 4-3 and 0-2 in the Frontier Conference East Division. The Blue Hawks improved to 3-4 overall and remained unbeaten in divisional play at 2-0.
Dakota State outgained Dickinson State 363-238 in total offensive yards and held possession for 33 minutes, 36 seconds. However, the Blue Hawks scored the game-winning touchdown with 53 seconds remaining to hand the Trojans a heartbreaking setback.
How it happened
Dakota State opened the scoring late in the first quarter after putting together a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 6:57 off the clock.
Trajan Davis capped the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds remaining.
Malte Hamann added the extra-point kick to give the Trojans a 7-0 advantage.
The Trojans' defense held Dickinson State scoreless during the opening 15 minutes.
Dickinson State responded with a 12-play, 79-yard scoring drive that carried over from the first quarter. Markiel Cockrell finished the possession with a 14-yard touchdown run with 10:18 remaining in the second quarter. Nik Halvorson converted the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
The Blue Hawks capitalized on a Dakota State fumble later in the quarter, taking possession at the Trojan 24-yard line with less than four minutes to go in the second quarter.
Dickinson State needed five plays to move into the end zone. Hudsen Grovom connected with Gage Gilbert for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 2:08 remaining before halftime. Halvorson's extra point gave the visitors a 14-7 lead.
Dakota State had an opportunity to trim the deficit late in the half after DiSU's 12 yards punt to DiSU's 16-yard line, but Hamann's 33-yard field goal attempt was unsuccessful after hitting the right up right as the Blue Hawks maintained their seven-point advantage at intermission.
The Trojans controlled much of the third quarter, holding Dickinson State scoreless while producing two scoring drives.
Dakota State opened its scoring in the second half with a 12-play, 47-yard possession that lasted 5:19. Hamann connected on a 40-yard field goal with 8:14 remaining, reducing the Blue Hawks' lead to 14-10.
After forcing Dickinson State to punt, the Trojans took advantage of favorable field position at the Blue Hawks' 42-yard line.
Dakota State moved 31 yards in six plays before Hamann drilled a 29-yard field goal with 4:20 remaining in the third quarter.
The Trojans entered the final quarter trailing by just one point, 14-13.
Dakota State's defense produced a key turnover early in the fourth quarter when
Tamareon 'Frosty' Foster recovered a Dickinson State fumble and returned it 14 yards, giving the Trojans possession at the Blue Hawks' 44-yard line with 13:48 remaining.
The Trojans capitalized on the takeaway with a nine-play, 44-yard scoring drive that consumed 5:36.
Davis scored his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a 2-yard run with 8:12 remaining, putting Dakota State ahead 19-14. The ensuing two-point conversion pass attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Trojans with a five-point lead.
Dakota State's defense forced Dickinson State to punt on its next possession, giving the Trojans an opportunity to extend their advantage or run down the clock.
The Trojans moved the ball before eventually punting with 2:36 remaining, giving Dickinson State possession at its own 36-yard line.
The Blue Hawks assembled a seven-play, 64-yard touchdown drive in just 1:43. Cockrell scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 53 seconds remaining to put Dickinson State ahead 20-19.
Dickinson State's two-point conversion rushing attempt failed.
Dakota State received the ensuing kickoff and attempted to put together a final scoring drive. The Trojans' comeback attempt ended with an interception by Tre Gary with 24 seconds remaining, allowing the Blue Hawks to secure the one-point victory.
Inside the box score
Davis led the Trojans' rushing attack with 75 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. His longest rush covered 29 yards.
Tray Hettick completed 17 of 39 passes for 233 yards with one interception. He also contributed 25 rushing yards on seven attempts.
Terik Streets paced Dakota State's receiving corps with five receptions for 76 yards, including a 29-yard catch.
Thonye Charles added five catches for 53 yards, while
Maddox Kihne collected three receptions for 51 yards.
Tim Halbur contributed two catches for 37 yards, and
Preston Iverson added two receptions for 16 yards.
Defensively,
Kaden Van Otterloo led Dakota State with 11 tackles, including six solo stops, five assisted tackles, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
Josiah Perez and Foster each recorded 10 tackles. Perez registered 3.5 tackles for loss totaling 21 yards, two sacks of 17 yards loss, and a forced fumble. Foster added a fumble recovery with a 14-yard return.
Aidan Jahns finished with eight tackles, while
Darryl Williams II and
Jacob Imdieke each recorded six stops.
Hamann finished 2-for-3 on field goal attempts, connecting from 40 and 29 yards. He also converted his lone extra-point attempt.
Cockrell led the Blue Hawks offensively with 45 rushing yards on 12 attempts and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 12 yards.
Grovom completed 14 of 23 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown without an interception. He added 23 rushing yards on 14 attempts.
Gilbert led Dickinson State with four receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown. Jackson Whicker added three catches for 29 yards, while Kohbe Smith recorded one reception for 25 yards.
Defensively, Brody Jenness led the Blue Hawks with eight tackles and a forced fumble. Chase Selle added seven tackles, while Deegan Tvedt recorded six.
Up next
Dakota State travels to Lokken Stadium next Saturday for the Frontier East Division contest with Valley City State (N.D.). Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. in Valley City, N.D.
